We always knew that Hades was going to be special. Having started life in the Epic Games Store as an early access title and moving to Steam a year later, developer Supergiant's odyssey across the river Styx and the Greek afterlife had plenty going for it long before it was ready for the main event. Months of polish, fan feedback, and tweaks to its formula helped create a game which is nothing short of a masterpiece of design.
It's hard to succinctly wrap up why Hades is so good, but between its mesmerising art style, brilliantly-paced action, and a soundtrack that draws you in, Hades manages to be constantly rewarding. In a game genre where your primary mantra is "live-die-repeat", Hades always has something new to share with its players. Maybe it's a few new dialogue options in the court of the underworld, perhaps it's a new combination of weapons and talents that allow you to push further through the realm of the dead, or maybe it's the drive to go give Cerberus some love before you face the big man himself.
Greece lightning in a bottle, Hades is pure excellence. It'll leave your hands sweaty after a challenging run, it constantly pushes you to be better, and it gives so much in return. A beautifully-crafted explosion of action, charm, and a Greek epic for the ages, Hades is our 2020 game of the year.
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